Born fromSligo

people’s vision for a local theatre, still very much belongs to its community.

A small red and blue boat crossing choppy water, with whitewashed farm buildings, green fields and hills on the far shore
Blue and white buildings beside an old arched stone bridge over a river

Who we are

The Hawk's Well Theatre building behind the trees and lawn of its garden

The Hawk's Well is Sligo's main performing arts venue — a 340-seat theatre on Temple Street,

opened in

1982

as the first purpose-built theatre west of the Shannon.

Rows of red seats in the Hawk's Well auditorium

Today we're more than one stage: we also programme work at the Art Deco in Ballymote – 220 seat theatre, and our Studio space bringing performance closer to audiences across the county.

We're a registered charity. That means every ticket, every production and every workshop is part of a bigger purpose — keeping the arts open, accessible and alive for everyone in the North West.

Everything we do rests on 5commitments

They shape the work we put on stage, the artists we support and the welcome we give at the door.

  • Inspiring

    We present the best in contemporary and classical work across every art form, giving audiences in the North West performances worth travelling for.

  • Creating

    We make our own new work, championing fresh voices and the talent of artists across Sligo and the North West.

  • Entertaining

    We bring joy to our whole community, from a child's first concert to a night that stays with you long after the lights come up.

  • Inclusive

    We're committed to being a venue that welcomes everyone, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, as audiences, performers and participants.

  • Nurturing

    We believe in the transformative power of the arts, and we give people the space, time and support to learn, develop and grow.

Two dancers in silhouette against an orange light

What we do

Our Programme

600+ shows a year

We welcome international, national and local performers to our stages across the year — theatre, music, dance, comedy and more, with the best in contemporary and classical work side by side.

What’s on
five men on stage

Our Productions

21 Hawk’s well productions since opening

We make high-quality new work that showcases the talent of the North West. Over the past decade our productions have toured worldwide, earning critical acclaim and awards along the way — from The Big Wall and GomBean to The Last Five Years.

Two actors on a bare stage beside three chairs on a riser

Our Experiences

3 weeks of experiences a year

Not every night at the Hawk's Well is a show you sit and watch — some you step right into. From Santa's Movigloo, a music-filled winter world for little ones, to our Speakeasy weekends of live music, classic film and vintage glamour, and our Halloween experience, these are immersive events made to be lived, not just seen.

Explore our experiences
Actors in silhouette before a projected Ferris wheel

Our Cinema

150+ movie screenings a year

It is a contemporary cultural destination bringing people together through film. From major releases to independent cinema, it offers a welcoming space for entertainment, discovery, and community.

See what’s on screen
Dancers mid-lift under blue stage light

For Artists

27 artistic works developed

We give artists the space, time and means to develop new work — through residencies, funding support and networks like Strollers, and ambitious cross-border projects like Project Lighthouse.

A child dancing on a lit circular stage under a curved set

Our Community

300 people involved

The arts belong to everyone, and our community is at the heart of what we do. Through Hawk's Well Pathways, our creative learning programme, we run workshops, courses and community groups for all ages — from music and drama classes for young children to Cultural Companions for older audiences, the Sligo Community Adult Orchestra, and Shine, our immersive drama programme for young people with intellectual disabilities.

Explore our community programmes

Our People

The Hawk's Well team standing outside the theatre

From the box office to the stage door, the Hawk's Well is run by a team who care about every performance and every person who walks through our doors. They programme the shows, welcome the audiences and keep the lights on — often all in one night. Meet the people behind the Hawk's Well.

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A performer in a red robe with arms raised before a glowing red disc
Dancers grappling on a spotlit black and white stage
A performer in silhouette against a bright blue backdrop
A singer at the piano under purple stage light
Three dancers in silhouette against an orange backdrop